Marseille are plotting a move that could see Celtic's Olivier Ntcham return to his homeland this summer.
The French giants are set for a major recruitment drive and squad restructure after the appointment of new boss Andre Villas-Boas following the sacking of Rudi Garcia.
Ntcham, who signed a new long-term deal at Celtic last year, has struggled for regular game-time with injuries hampering his last campaign, but Record Sport can reveal that Marseille’s scouting staff have still been keeping tabs on him and have placed him high on their transfer window wishlist.
Striker Moussa Dembele has enjoyed fabulous success in Ligue 1 after leaving Parkhead for Lyon in a £19million deal nine months ago and their rivals have been assessing the midfielder’s development.
Porto have been admirers of the Ntcham for the past 12 months, but now face competition from the Frenchman’s homeland.
Marseille are making sweeping changes after finishing a whopping 30 points behind title winners Paris Saint-Germain to come fifth in the standings and failing to make Europe next season.
Villas-Boas has been snared on a lucrative contract and the playing staff is also to be reshaped with Mario Balotelli amongst those who are heading out of the door.
Dutch midfielder Kevin Strootman, who was signed from AS Roma for £25m last summer, has also reportedly been told he can move on as the club looks to go in a fresh direction.
Celtic paid Manchester City £4m to sign Ntcham two years ago and, after an impressive first season with the champions, he was unable to build on that in the campaign just ended.
However, with three years still remaining on his newly-signed improved contract, Celtic can stand firm against any interest or demand a healthy fee if the right offer is made.
